Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam Practice Question
Attorney Barnes teams up with Pat, who does not hold a license to represent clients, to develop a service bundle that includes both counsel and technical support. All fees from these offerings go into one central fund under their collective control. Which statement best reflects professional guidelines in this situation?
It meets ethical requirements when clients receive a written notice explaining each participant’s role
There are no concerns relating professional guidelines.
It meets ethical requirements if Pat avoids directing matters that call for legal expertise
It raises concerns if someone without a license gains proceeds from legal representation in a jointly managed fund
A lawyer may violate ethical rules by combining counsel-based revenue with a partner who is not admitted, particularly when both share authority over those funds. Such models create a risk of compromising the lawyer’s independent judgment and could undermine client protection. Some alternative approaches, such as setting up separate arrangements for non-legal tasks, do not solve the issue if proceeds from legal services are still blended and subject to joint oversight. Disclosure alone or delegating non-counsel tasks to a partner may not remedy these concerns if fees for counsel remain under shared administration.
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